More than three quarters (86%) of respondents who have more good days at work feel appreciated, compared to 60% of respondents who do not have as many good days at work, according to research by Robertson Cooper and the Bank Workers Charity (BWC).
The What is a good day at work? report, which surveyed 1,500 UK adults working in the private and public sector, also found that 10% of respondents do not have even one good day at work each week.
The research examines what constitutes a good day at work and how this links to employee wellbeing, including physical and mental health, job satisfaction, and personal development.
The research also found:
- 61% of respondents who have more good days at work talk about wellbeing with their colleagues, compared to 36% of respondents who do not have as many good days at work.
- 91% of respondents who have more good days at work are more likely to feel supported, compared to 79% of respondents who do not have as many good days at work.
- Only 5% of non-bank worker respondents think that work-life balance is a contributing factor for a good day at work, compared to 6% of bank worker respondents.
- Both 1% of bank worker respondents and non-bank worker respondents list having time for lunch as a factor that influences whether they have a good day at work.
- 27% of respondents feel that work brings them down.
- 57% of respondents say work makes them happy, compared to 55% of bank worker respondents.
Paula Brockwell (pictured), psychologist and head of client experience at Robertson Cooper, said: “Work is no longer about just getting the job done and we need to ask ourselves more often, ‘did I have a good day at work?’ It’s a simple question, but it’s linked to a broad concept of employee wellbeing, including physical and emotional energy, health, sustainable job satisfaction and performance.”
Paul Barrett, head of wellbeing at the Bank Workers Charity, added: “Just as in the wider popular, the research presents a mixed picture among bank workers. At BWC we’d like to see line managers in banks display more people-focused behaviours at work, to balance the task-centred management style identified in the report.
“On the other hand, we welcome the fact that bank workers appear to have a strong sense of purpose in their work and enjoy high-quality relationships with their colleagues, both of which are highly beneficial to their wellbeing.”